CENTERVILLE - Though Lt. Governor Spencer Cox has already spoken out against the claim, former city council candidate George McEwan is spearheading complaints against mayor-elect Paul Cutler and city council member-elect Tami Fillmore.

According to Centerville City Recorder Marsha Morrow, a total of 12 complaints have been filed against Fillmore and Cutler with the Centerville City recorder’s office. The complaints allege that Fillmore filed her financial disclosure statement at an incorrect time and that Cutler failed to disclose the specific cost of a Facebook ad campaign.

“We’re looking into it,” said Morrow.

Previously, complaints had been filed with the Lt. Governor’s office, alleging that Fillmore should be removed from the ballot because she had filed her financial disclosure statement too early and should be removed from the ballot. Though state law says that the filing must be done seven days before the election, Centerville City law says that it cannot be earlier than 10 days before the election.

On Oct. 31, Lt. Governor Spencer J. Cox sent a letter of response to Centerville City Attorney Lisa Romney and others dismissing the charge.

“It appears Centerville Municipal Code 2-03-110b exceeds the regulatory scope adopted by Utah State Code and I find no statutory provision which would allow a candidate to be disqualified for filing a campaign financial statement more than 10 days before the election,” he wrote in the letter.

McEwan then filed a lawsuit against Centerville City on November 4. Judge Michael G. Allphin dismissed the case on Nov. 7.

In an e-mail statement to the Clipper, McEwan also alleged that Fillmore amended her financial disclosure statement six days before the election, which he said was a clear violation. According to the Centerville City website, however, the city received McEwan's final financial disclosure statement on Nov. 19, well after the election had passed.

Ms. Wardell, your final paragraph is erroneous and full of conjecture. McEwan's financial disclosure statement, filed on Nov. 19th, was his final statement which all candidates must file within 30 days after the election. Fillmore and others have not filed theirs, yet. It's fairly obvious on the Centerville City website (that you cited) that McEwan has 3 disclosures and most others have 2 (again, because they haven't filed their final disclosures, yet).

Fillmore's and McEwan's 2nd disclosures are the ones in question. McEwan's was received Oct. 28th which was within the filing window. Fillmore's was received Oct. 30th, one day late, which is a "clear violation," as McEwan stated.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume this was poor research on your part, rather than malice. Please print a retraction and stick to the (well-researched) facts in the future.